Education and training in neurology: developments and future challenges

Abstract

Background and purposeTraining and education is essential for best practice medicine and is especially important in a rapidly evolving field such as neurology. Due to improved imaging techniques and laboratory testing, there is a better understanding of the pathophysiology of diseases. As a result more treatments have become available. The most important developments in neurology over the last two decades and their effect on training and education are described. In addition, how future training should be aware of the challenges ahead of us is described.MethodsThis is a narrative review describing developments and challenges based on personal experience and the literature.ResultsDue to major developments in radiological and immunological testing, major changes have been seen in different subspecialties of neurology, including but not limited to, the treatment of ischaemic stroke, the development of new entities in the field of demyelinating diseases and auto‐immune encephalitis, and diffuse glioma. These developments challenge the education and training in neurology with, ahead of us, technological developments, an aging population, and potentially more superspecialization.ConclusionAlthough there are differences in the training curricula between European countries, the developments and future challenges within the field of neurology are very similar. In the development of future curricula it is important to face these developments and challenges and to adapt to them.